Syrian state media: Regime troops deep in key town

In this Saturday, May 18, 2013 citizen journalism image provided by Qusair Lens which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, shows Syrians inspecting the rubble of damaged buildings due to government airstrikes, in Qusair, Homs province, Syria. The town of Qusair has been besieged for weeks by regime troops and pro-government gunmen backed by the Lebanese militant Hezbollah group. The siege is part of a withering offensives forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad have been pushing in recent weeks to regain control of the towns and villages along the Lebanese frontier. (AP Photo/Qusair Lens)

BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian state media say army units have pushed deeper into a strategic town near the Lebanese border and are fighting street battles with the rebels.

The SANA news agency says President Bashar Assad's troops took control of most of the town of Qusair on Monday.

But the state news service also says government forces are still fighting "terrorists" in several town districts. The Syrian regime claims there is no civil war in the country but that the army is fighting foreign-backed terrorists trying to topple Assad's government.

Fighting has raged around the rebel-held Qusair for weeks. The regime on Sunday launched a fresh push to regain control of the town in central Homs province.